Send us a text

Discover how a humble chicken soup and a sugar cane spirit tell the rich story of Panama's cultural heritage in this flavorful exploration of the country's culinary soul.
Sancocho de Gallina isn't just chicken soup—it's a national symbol and beloved cure-all affectionately known as "levanta muertos" (raiser of the dead) for its ability to revive those suffering from hangovers or illness. This Sunday family tradition embodies Panama's fascinating cultural fusion, with ingredients that trace the country's complex history: indigenous roots through ñame (yam), Spanish influence via chicken, and Afro-Caribbean touches through distinctive herbs. As Chef Marcos Alvarado poetically puts it, culantro is "Panama's perfume," giving the soup its distinctive earthy essence.
Equally revealing is Seco Herrerano, Panama's national spirit derived from sugar cane and named after Herrera province. At 35% ABV, this smooth liquor appears in everything from pineapple juice cocktails to surprising milk mixtures (a favorite of former President Moscoso). The ritual of "matrimonios"—Seco chased with beer—lubricates social gatherings throughout the country, especially in rural communities where sharing this spirit creates bonds between friends and family.
Beyond these flagship items, we explore other treasures like hojaldras (fried dough) for breakfast, carimañolas (yuca fritters), patacones (fried plantains), refreshing chicha de saril (hibiscus drink), and world-renowned geisha coffee. Each bite and sip reveals how everyday foods carry immense cultural weight—telling stories of colonization, indigenous traditions, and modern innovation. What foods in your life might be hiding similar stories in plain sight? Try making sancocho this weekend or mixing a chichita with Seco Herrerano and share your experience with #TastePanama!

Support the show

can I pet that dawg songwriter / listen anywhere